After 10 Years of Working Together, We Finally Met in Person

Some business relationships begin with a meeting, a handshake, or a visit to an exhibition.

Ours began with an email.

For ten years, we worked with one of our overseas customers entirely online. We communicated through emails and messages, handled orders, solved problems, and built trust over time.

But during all those years, we had never actually met in person.

We had never even had a phone call or video call.

Then, a few days ago, he told me that he and his wife would be stopping in Guangzhou for one night before continuing their journey to Europe. He asked if I could come to Guangzhou and have dinner with them.

Of course, I said yes.

From an Online Customer to a Real-Life Friend

I arrived at the restaurant first and waited for them downstairs.

When their car arrived, I was still trying to make sure it was really him. Before I could clearly see his face, he had already recognized me.

He waved, smiled, and opened his arms for a hug.

That moment felt surprisingly special.

After ten years of emails, messages, orders and shipments, the person I had known through a screen was suddenly standing right in front of me.

I said:

“We finally meet!”

And he replied:

“Finally?”

Yes — finally.

A First Meeting That Didn’t Feel Like One

I had wondered whether our first face-to-face meeting might feel a little unfamiliar.

It didn’t.

From the moment we sat down, there was almost no silence. We talked, laughed and shared stories as naturally as old friends.

In fact, we probably laughed a little too loudly.

At one point, an elderly gentleman sitting at the next table turned toward us and coughed rather noticeably.

We looked at each other and quietly asked:

“Do you think we’re being too loud?”

Probably.

That only made the situation funnier, and trying not to laugh made us want to laugh even more.

For a moment, I genuinely wanted to explain to him:

“Please forgive us. We’ve known each other for ten years, and tonight is the first time we’ve ever met.”

Dinner lasted more than two hours, but it felt much shorter.

More Than Orders and Business

This meeting reminded me of something I value deeply about international business.

A customer relationship may begin with a quotation, a sample or a small order.

But trust isn’t built in one transaction.

It develops through years of communication, solving problems together, keeping promises and supporting each other’s businesses.

Over time, some customers become long-term partners. And sometimes, those partners become friends.

At JanetSourcing, we are grateful for every customer who has trusted us to be part of their China supply chain — whether they are just starting with a small order or have worked with us for many years.

This dinner wasn’t about negotiating prices or discussing the next order.

It was simply about finally meeting someone we had already known for a decade.

And perhaps that is what made it so memorable.

Ten years of cooperation. One first handshake. And a partnership that continues.